Real fulfillment can only be found in Christ. Yet, discipleship caries a cost that we measure by questions like “what will it cost me if I do this?”. We may not say that ‘out-loud’, but subconsciously we ‘do the maths’ in terms of time, money and energy. What we don’t often consider is that non-discipleship also carries a cost that can be measured by answering the question “what will it cost if I don’t do this?”

As society turns away from God the lives of true Christians stand in greater contrast to the lives of others. We will encounter greater battles and greater persecution. The Christian life will require greater courage.

The parables of the ‘hidden treasure’ and ‘the pearl of great price’ in Matthew 13:44-46 are about God’s absolute commitment to His people. When we understand the magnitude of God’s love for us it becomes natural that when Jesus said “follow me” to his disciples the invitation meant following him all the way into ministry!

The word “commitment” dials up all sorts of anxieties in us. As soon as we hear someone asking us to commit our minds automatically begin looking for an ‘out’, an excuse that precludes us from committing “too heavily”. Commitment, however, is at the very heart of following Jesus.